AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Races in the American Cup opponents’ league will be delayed at least a day after Sunday’s COVID-19 community uprising forced the city of Auckland to lock down.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that Auckland will move into a Stage 3 lockout after three community issues were discovered in the south bank, the first since August in the city’s largest city. in New Zealand.
The lock-in means that schools and public centers will include a closed American Cup town and residents are advised to work from home and “be very careful. ”
Crowds are not allowed at sporting events, at least for 72 hours. Ardern said of forthcoming public gatherings “if you can, postponing is best at this stage.”
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli of Italy will lead the British INEOS Team 4-0 in the final round of the Prada Cup in the first seven to seven, after winning both races on the second day of the match. Sunday series. The race was expected to continue on Wednesday but American Cup organizers have announced that it will need to be postponed.
In a statement Sunday organizers said because of the locking news “initially for 72 hours, the next scheduled race day has been postponed and the event will not be open to the public during this time.”
Organizers said they will work with “relevant authorities and agencies over the next few days to work through the necessary ramifications.”
Pandemic did not catch pandemic New Zealand and until Sunday life went on as normal with no unrestricted gatherings and an endless crowd at sporting events. New Zealand has had only 26 deaths as a result of COVID-19.
Races in the opponent series so far have been watched by many spectator boats on the water and by large crowds watching places on land.
Team UK captain Ben Ainslie said the teams enjoyed the recent freedom from COVID-free status in New Zealand.
“We are very fortunate to be out here and doing a yacht race that we all love,” he said. “It’s a difficult situation.
“To be perfectly honest I don’t know what the limitations are, I’ve just picked up the news. But of course we will do whatever the authorities advise us to do. Of course it is more important that people are safe and healthy. ”